Goodbye Day for "Lucy"

Friday morning came and I was running around the house as usual trying to gather the rest of “Lucy’s” things. I made sure to look in every crevice of our couch, under her crib, under her set in the car for each and every pacifier she could have dropped. It calmed her down when she would get in those panic modes. We tried to limit those to as few as possible.  I gave “Ethel” 2 bags of toys and belongings the day before when she had her for the whole day.  Abby told me the morning of that she was not going to say her goodbyes to “Lucy”, she wanted to go with me to drop her off. Sure! No problem! Well, I got a phone call from “Ethel” letting me know that she would be ready earlier than we had planned if I wanted to do the drop off then. Sure! No problem! Let’s get this pain train rolling! Got everything in the car and started down the road. I stopped at the stoplight which just happens to be at the intersection towards Abby's school. I looked right, saw the school and about jumped out the window! Luckily, no one was next to me, giving me the opportunity to make a right hand turn from the center lane. I grabbed Abby early from school. She would be devastated and I would feel so guilty if she missed her goodbye! (Phew! That was so frickin’ close!)

Abby and I took “Lucy” to the county office 15 minutes away. We met her new Momma in the garage. I handed her the bags and one box of clothes. I gave her the paperwork I had kept. The dr’s notes and recommendations for future drs notes. Abby took “Lucy” out of the car and held her for a moment. She looked at “Lucy” and told her how much she loved her and how much she was going to miss her. (Kleenex)  “Lucy” grabbed Abby’s face with her two tiny hands, looked at her and babbled her sweet babble, then quietly laid her head on Abby’s shoulder. This sweet 7 month old will forever have a piece of our hearts.  After my squeezes and kisses and promises to love her forever, I handed her over. “Ethel” gave me the biggest hug and thanked me for taking care of “Lucy”. She said we will be seeing each other soon and that I can call to check in or visit whenever I wanted. 

Today we have seen our “Lucy” a handful of times. She is growing by leaps and bounds. Two of her first words were Happy & Ocean! (Her Momma takes her to the beach all the time!) Really, what more could I ask for? “Lucy” is growing up with an amazing family, a super Mom and LOVE all around her! And we are blessed to be able to watch her bloom where God has planted her.

** “Lucy” and her Momma are waiting for their final adoption date. Her bio parents tried throwing some road blocks but in the end couldn’t get their lives in order to put their baby first. Thankfully the foster part of “Lucy’s” story will be a short one. **

Meeting Her New Mom

I wonder if I am the only blogger to ever hit a, let's say, blogger's block numerous times within the year. Or I wonder if it's just the fabulous world of fostering stunting my words. Either way, our 5th Angel "Charlie Brown" has left our home after 5 months and I felt it best to open the laptop and try again to catch up on my story telling.

"Lucy" had such a complicated story to tell with so much I can't share. It's an experience not many in my own circle of Foster Moms could call their own. I can say that as you will soon read, the story took an amazingly positive turn towards Forever Fabulousness!

In true My Family style, please rewind to May of 2015...
We meet on Monday, “Lucy” goes home for a full day visit on Thursday and Goodbye Day will come Friday.  That’s how it was all going to happen. What a whirlwind it was. But I know now that she is where she should be.  About 2 weeks prior to meeting her new Foster Mom I rcvd the call that they found a family for “Lucy”. I couldn’t believe how fast it happened. I was told at least a few months.  The Adoptions worker had called me and asked every question possible about the baby so they could give a great description to the possible families.  I was really good about giving all the details necessary so the family can make a good decision about whether they can take “Lucy” and keep her for possibly the rest of her life. I don’t want her to move anymore.  At this point, I still feel a little bad about not being a concurrent family.  But bottom line, the county and I really didn’t think it probable that “Lucy” would be reunified with her biological family.  This move was better for “Lucy” while she is 7 months young and not as attached to me as she could be a few more months down the road.

I was a nervous wreck going to the office that Monday even though we had talked on the phone numerous times during the 2 week wait.  The new Mom we will call “Ethel”, was so pleasant to talk to. She is in the medical field which was good to know with the few medical issues “Lucy” had. “Ethel” asked all the right questions and was giddy with excitement. Made total sense because “Lucy” would be her first child. I made sure to be available for her to call me whenever she had a question regarding “Lucy’s” care. I wanted to make sure the transition to her new home would be as easy as possible on her. The girl has been through enough in her short little life.

Meeting “Ethel” was uneventful as I knew it would be. Of course my anxiety takes hold of my senses faster than I can take a deep breath.  She wasn’t overly grabby and waited patiently for me to take “Lucy” out of the carrier. I think I would have been a little more crazy excited. A few moments into the visit it was time for a bottle and “Ethel” didn’t hesitate and took over like a natural. That’s when I took my deep breath. She handled everything like a pro. No bobbling or unsureness in her face. She was ready for this. “Lucy” seemed ready. While walking to the car I thought I might be ready too.